Patch-clamp recordings on rat cardiac muscle slices.
Thin slices (100-200 microns) from cardiac ventricles of newborn (1-14 days old) rats were used for patch-clamp recordings. High resistance seals (greater than 10 GOhms) could be obtained on this preparation without enzymatic treatment of tissue. Resting potential for cardiac fibres, measured in whole-cell configuration, ranged between -30 and -65 mV. Averaged sodium currents and inward rectifying potassium single-channel currents, recorded in cell-attached mode, displayed similar features to those previously reported for isolated rat ventricular cells. Application of patch-clamp techniques to cardiac slices allows single-channel recordings without complicated procedures of cell isolation. Moreover, possible alteration of channel properties caused by proteolytic enzymes can be avoided. This technique provides a new tool for studying electrophysiological properties of heart cells in situ.
Burnashev
N A
NA
Max-Planck-Institut für medizinische Forschung, Abteilung Zellphysiology, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Edwards
F A
FA
Verkhratsky
A N
AN
D000818:Animals; D004553:Electric Conductivity / Q000502:physiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
D015221:Potassium Channels